Spark-plug.



W. O. OLSON.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 15. 1917.

m w wg Pateflted (m. 16,1917.

I Ira/e J5? WILLIAM o. oLsoi or cHIcAGo, 1LLmoIs.

SPARK-PLUG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 16, 1917.

Application filed March 15, 191-7. Serial No. 154,917.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. OLSON, a citizen of the United States," residin at Chicago, in the county of Cook and tate of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Spark-Plugs, of

which the following is aspecification.

- This invention relates to spark plugsrfor internal combustion engines and has for its object the provision of a spark plug capable of producing a fiat ribbon-like spark which insures ignition of the maximum quantity of ignitable gas particles, resulting in more rapid combustion of the charge and consequent additional power delivery.

A further ObjGCtxOf my invention is the provision of means in a spark plug which insures clean electrodes at all times, the accumulation of carbon particles which ultimately cause short circuiting of ordinary spark plugs being prevented.

.A further object of my invention is the provision of compensating means permltting relative changes in dimensions of the core and'central electrode, thus eliminating the possibility of cracking the core and of means increasing the radlating surface of thelcore whereby it is kept comparatively coo Further objects and advantages of myinve'ntionwillbe apparent as it is better derstood by reference to the following speci fication when read in connection w1th the accompanying drawing, illustrating the proferred embodiment thereof, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of the spark plug according to my invention;

Fi 2 is a vertical section spar plug, and Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the spark plug.

Referring to the drawing, 1 indicates a conducting shell threaded at 2 in the usual manner and provided with oppositely disposed depending electrodes '3. A non-conducting core 4 of suitable insulating material, such'for example as porcelain, is disposed within the shell which is provided with a shoulder 5 between which and a shoulder'6 on the core a gasket 7 preferably of asbestos and copper is disposed. A clamping collar 8 surrounds the core 4 and engages the gasket 9 similar to the gasket 7 which rests on a shoulder 10 of the core a through the opposite the shoulder 6. The collar 8 threadedly engages the shell 1 to maintain the shell and core in assembled relation.

The core 4- is provided with a central opening to receive the central electrode 11 which snuglyfits the opening, the opening being, however, sufficiently large'to permit the electrode to be readily inserted therein and'to prevent binding when the-dimensions of the core and electrode vary; under the influence of heat. The electrode 11 is provided at its lower end with a shoulder 12 between which and the core-a dished steel washer 13 and an asbestos washer 145 are disposed. The upper end of the electrode 11 is threaded at 15 to receive a nut 16. A'dished steel washer 17 and an asbestos washer 18 surround the electrode 11 atthe upper end of the core 4 and a split or spring washer 19 is disposed between the dished steel washer 17 and the nut 16. A knurled nut 20 is threadedly mounted .on the end of the electrode 11 and is preferably provided with an annular groove 21 to receive the end of the usual terchor 23 is pivotally mounted on a pin 24.

The anchor. 23 is preferably constructed of a meta1,'not' readily oxidizable, similar to electrode 11- below that from which the electrodes 3 arevcon-j structedand the pin 24 is alsopreferably of the same metal to prevent binding of the anchor on the pin when the parts are heated.

The end 25' of the anchor 23 is curved in an are about the center of the pivot pin 24 and y the electrodes 3 are concentrically curve and spaced from the end 24.

When the device is in use and more particularly when the vehicle in which the plug is mounted is in motion the anchor 23 swings on its pivot pin 24.- constantly, thus preventing-the accumulation of carbon particles which ultimately bridge and shortcircuit the electrodes of ordinary spark plugs. The end 25, regardless of its position at any articular instant is always spaced a pre etermined distance from the electrodes 3 so. that the gap is uniform and owing to the extended length of the end25 a flat ribbon-like spark is produced which is extremelyhot. and results in the ignition of the mam mum quantity of ignitible gas particles. It is well understood that the power obtainable from internal combustion engines depends largely upon the rapidity of combustion of the charge and I have discovered that the flat ribbon like spark produced'by the structure described eflectsa much more rapid combustion than is possible with the thread-like or ball sparks produced by the spark plugs now in common use. The engine thus becomes more efficient and the same amount of work can be accomplished with less fuel than heretofore.

The upper end of the core 4 is provided with a plurality of radiating flanges 26, the central flanges being preferably wider as indicated on the drawing. This result is best obtained by forming the upper end of the core 4 in the manner indicated in the drawing. By this means I provide a maximum of radiating surface at the exposed end of the core which results in more rapid cooling thereof. This construction in connection with the use of the dished washers 13 and 17 and the spring washer 19, which allow relative changes in the dimensions of the core 4 and electrode 11, insure against cracking of the core which result is frequent in common types of spark plugs, causing trouble and annoyance if another plug is not immediately available for replacement thereof.

From the foregoing it will be readily understood that I have succeeded in perfecting a spark plug presenting numerous advantages over the commercial form of spark plugs now in use and that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the-invention -or sacrificing any of the material advantages thereof, the form] hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a spark plug, the combination of a trioally with the curvature of said elonsaid shell and curved concentrically with the curvature of said arms.

3. In a spark plug, the combination of a conducting shell, an insulating core, a central electrode extending through said core, means on said electrode for resiliently clamping said core, a freely swinging end on said electrode, and electrodes depending from said shell and curved to maintain a uniform spark gap as said end swings in a predetermined plane.

4. In a spark plug, the combination of a conducting shell, an insulating core, a freely swinging elect-rode depending from said core, and. electrodes depending from said shell and curved to maintain a uniform spark gap as said electrode swings in a predetermined plane.

5. In a spark plug, the combination of a conducting shell, an insulating core, a freely swinging electrode depending from said core and having oppositely projecting curved arms, and electrodes depending from said shell in the plane of said arms and curved concentrically therewith to maintain auniform spark gap as said electrode swings in a predetermined plane.

6. In a spark plug, the combination of a conducting shell, an insulating core having a plurality of radial flanges, a rod extending through said core, means for resiliently clamping said rod to said core, an electrode pivotally mounted on the end of said rod to swing in a predetermined plane having oppositely directed curved arms, and electrodes depending from said shell and curved concentrically with the curvature of said arms.

WILLIAM O. OLSON.

Witnesses:

W. T. Wns'rnnnnno, ERNEST I-I. MERCHANT. 

